In The News

Former York College A Level student Oscar Powell, who is studying geological sciences at Peterhouse, Cambridge, became an online sensation following his latest appearance on University Challenge.

Oscar, formerly of All Saints RC School, featured significantly in the Peterhouse panel, amusing the audience with his accentuated facial expressions. Peterhouse beat St George’s London 195 points to 90, a performance host Jeremy Paxman called “very impressive.” Peterhouse will now progress to the quarter-final round of the competition.

Oscar helped his team to victory with his impressive knowledge of geology, often stealing the show with his wit and facial expressions. He kept viewers entertained for hours after the show ended, with Twitter fans predicting he will become Prime Minister! One Twitter user exclaimed: “won not only #universitychallenge but the nation.”

Photograph: Peterhouse in the first round of University Challenge

Miggy Biller, Oscar’s former Maths tutor at York College, was invited to watch the recording of the show. She said: “Oscar did brilliantly and had a tremendous rapport with Jeremy Paxman. I am pleased the final recording showed all of their humourous exchanges - it was so entertaining. I am extremely proud of Oscar’s achievements, he is enjoying his final year at Cambridge and continues to keep in touch with us, which is lovely.”